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Landry outlines reorganization to add second lieutenant, citing supervision and liability concerns
Summary
Chief Douglas Landry proposed an off‑cycle reorganization to add a second lieutenant and reorganize detective/special services roles; he said the plan can be absorbed in the current budget and would improve supervision and reduce risk.
Chief Douglas Landry presented a reorganization plan for the Littleton Police Department that would create a second lieutenant position (day and evening coverage) and promote internal candidates while keeping immediate sworn headcount effectively flat.
Landry said the department has grown since he joined and that retirements — including the recent chief and an expected deputy chief retirement on Sept. 1 — make succession planning urgent. “Insufficient supervision, inexperienced officers creates direct liability exposures for the town,” he said, arguing the extra lieutenant capacity would provide experienced supervision on high‑volume shifts and reduce reliance on an ad hoc officer‑in‑charge system.
Landry outlined operational details: the department’s full‑time sworn total is 24; detectives (special services) cover school resource officer duties and investigations; a detective sergeant has been serving on a DEA task force; and recent promotions have shifted some personnel back into patrol. He proposed filling a lieutenant post from existing staff and delaying one detective replacement so the FY27 headcount remains largely unchanged while new supervisory roles are absorbed through internal reclassification.
On timing, Landry said he wants the deputy chief and lieutenants in place by September, with additional sergeants and external hiring to follow as necessary. He also described plans to use recent budget savings (including about $12,000 from an unfilled maintenance role) and other cost avoidances to fund the change within the current fiscal year’s numbers.
The select board discussed long‑term budget impacts, union and contract mechanics and whether the change should be handled in a regular budget cycle. After deliberation the board moved and voted to approve the reorganization off‑cycle; several members nevertheless urged careful review of FY28 implications.
Next steps: the chief will proceed with the internal promotions and assist in recruitment and background work needed for external hires; the Finance Committee and town staff will continue to review the multi‑year budget impact.
